Zambia Independent Tabloid

  LUSAKA — The National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) has paid more than K9.1 million in interest-free pension advances to 565 pensioners during the first three days of operating its new advance-payment facility. NAPSA says K9,137,772.92 was disbursed between August 8 and August 11, 2026, as part of recently introduced pension reforms intended to improve retirees’ access to financial support. The highest advance paid during the period was K17,454.37, while the lowest was K2,000. NAPSA reported that the average payment stood at K16,178.37. About 34,000 pensioners were eligible to apply for the facility as of August 1, meaning the initial 565 beneficiaries represent less than two percent of the eligible population. The advances are provided without interest, allowing qualifying pensioners to access part of their pension income to meet immediate financial obligations without taking expensive commercial loans. NAPSA Director General Muyangwa Muyangwa said the early uptake demonstrat...